To understand the rise and development of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever it is essential to understand something about the region from which it comes. The Chesapeake Bay is on the East Coast of the United States, running north up toward Baltimore. This is a land of harsh winters, icy water, and huge numbers of migratory birds. James Michener describes the duck hunting in this region in his novel, Chesapeake. There were literally so many birds that they could be shot out of the sky en masse, resulting in 10 to 20 ducks for their dogs to then go out and retrieve at a time. The guns used were more properly boat-mounted cannons. These hunters needed dogs that were capable of going out and retrieving all of these ducks, in particular going after cripples first and then back to pick up the dead ones.

There are many stories and legends about the origin of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The favored story involves the 1807 shipwreck of an English ship bound for Poole, England. The crew and two puppies survived the wreck: a brown male named Sailor and a black bitch dubbed Canton in honor of the rescuing ship. These two puppies were St. John's water dogs, no doubt bound for Lord Malmesbury's estates, which at this time was developing the prototype for the Labrador Retriever breed. These puppies found homes in the Chesapeake Bay area, on the opposite shores, and were trained and used for duck retrieving. The dogs that descended from these two ultimately became collectively known as Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

Whether or not Canton and Sailor contributed as much to the breed as they are credited with, or even whether they were bred to one another at all, it's clear that the Chesapeake, or Chessie as it is often called, developed in this area from avid hunters who cared about two things: a fanatical retriever, and a brown coat to blend in with its surroundings. Thus, many dogs would have been used for breeding stock as long as they were good hunters and retrievers and had brown coats. Other St. John's dogs from Newfoundland and retrieving dogs, including the Labrador upon its return to the Americas, were no doubt used in the quest for the ultimate duck retriever.

While it's temptingly romantic to paint a picture of a breed coming about by natural selection in this rugged climate, in all likelihood, Chesapeakes were bred quite carefully by the families along the Bay for the qualities they desired. There is anecdotal evidence of breeding records and pedigrees tracing back to at least the beginning of the 19th century. In particular, the Carroll Island Gun Club was devoted to Chesapeakes in the latter half of the eighteenth century and reportedly kept breeding records going back for decades. The club's members bred Chesapeakes and hunted over them; sportsmen came from all over the country to witness their prowess. Unfortunately, in a contribution to the puzzle of this breed's origins, the club's records were lost in a fire near the turn of the century. Some of the other breeds believed to have played a part in the Chesapeake's development include coonhounds, Curly Coated Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels, and setters.

Careful breeding over the years has created an outstanding retriever with incredible enthusiasm and endurance. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has been known to retrieve 200 ducks in a single day in frigid waters. This lively, enthusiastic hunter will come out of a river or marsh with only a few drops of water remaining on its coat, and these are quickly eliminated with a shake.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was the first individual retriever breed recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878. The first recorded Champion in this breed is CH Barnum (born 1892); the first Field Champion is FC Skipper Bob (mid 30's), with the first dual Champion, Dual CH Sodaks Gypsy Prince (1937) following shortly after. The American Chesapeake Club became the official national breed club in 1918. In contrast, the rest of the retrievers were lumped together until the late 1920's when the AKC finally separated them into the ones we know today.

The breed does well in obedience and tracking as well as in retrieving, hunting tests and field trials. They also make a fine family companion. Some of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever's talents include: tracking, hunting, retrieving, guarding, watchdogging, schutzhund, field spots and competitive obedience.